NEIL Middleditch is adamant his men can heap more misery on Australian sport by shocking the favourites in tonight’s Speedway World Cup race-off.

The Aussies have had a summer to forget so far with their rugby union team defeated by the British & Irish Lions and their cricketers trailing England in the Ashes.

Spearheaded by Pirates star Darcy Ward, the shale sport boys from Down Under are being widely tipped to boost their nation by reaching the World Cup final this evening.

Despite being without injured Pirates captain Chris Holder, the Australian line-up boasts plenty of experience in the shape of Troy Batchelor, Jason Doyle and Ward, with Davey Watt or Cameron Woodward likely to take the fourth spot.

However, Great Britain boss Middleditch insists new-look GB are ready to upset the odds to book their place in Saturday’s final showdown in Prague.

Speaking ahead of the race-off against Australia, USA and Latvia in Prague, the Poole and GB team manager told the Daily Echo: “Australia will probably be the favourites. They have got the experience.

“But I think they are very beatable and we are going there to win. Rider for rider, we can match them. Greg Hancock is a brilliant rider for the USA and Latvia have proven they can get points, so I am not discounting any of our rivals.”

Middleditch has called up Ben Barker and Lewis Bridger for dropped duo Craig Cook and Edward Kennett.

Barker and Bridger join Tai Woffinden and Chris Harris from the Lions line-up which failed to overhaul a powerhouse Denmark team at King’s Lynn on Monday.

The race-off combatants will be bidding to join hosts Czech Republic, Poland and Denmark in the final.